A favourite for a safe Labour seat pulled out last night after claims of a
trade union “stitch-up”.

Karie Murphy, who was supported by Unite, Ed Miliband’s biggest union donor,
said that she would not be taking part in the selection process for Falkirk,
which has been dogged by accusations of foul play before it has started.

Her announcement followed 48 hours of confusion after senior party sources
said that she would not be standing for the seat, which will be vacated in
2015 by Eric Joyce after he admitted assaulting four people in a Commons bar.